Lily Allen plays surprise set at Glastonbury

Glastonbury‘s new Park Stage was given its official launch tonight (June 22) with a secret set from Lily Allen.

The singer played after festival chief Michael Eavis arrived at the new area to cut a giant ribbon across the stage to officially welcome the event’s latest addition.

“What a sunset, it will be fine weather tomorrow,” Eavis told the crowd. “Thanks for coming to the show, thanks for coming to The Park! This is my daughter Emily‘s first attempt [at organising a stage] what do you think? Good work Emily! I’ve got a top act to play, Lily Allen!”

Following the ceremony, Allen then surprised fans with her first appearance of the weekend.

The singer is due to play the Pyramid Stage tomorrow (June 23), but performed the secret set to mark the new stage’s beginning.

“I’m sorry MIA was supposed to be here, she’s ill, she hasn’t turned up,” explained Allen. “Emily Eavis asked me to step in and it’s big shoes to fill, and we’re doing it acoustically so it might sound a bit funny.”

Wearing a white dress, white wellies and a black leather jacket, Allen told fans she had been enjoying the festival so far.

“I’ve got a bit of a sore throat,” she told the crowd. “I think I might have gone a bit too far last night!”

Finishing off her “impromptu” set Allen covered Blondie‘s ‘Heart Of Glass’ with the crowd providing backing vocals.